In a devastating blow for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, star midfielder Aitana Bonmati is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on a broken leg.
Training Ground Injury Ends Campaign
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner sustained the significant injury during a Spain training session on Sunday. The 27-year-old fell awkwardly, and subsequent medical tests confirmed she had suffered a fracture to her fibula.
The injury immediately ruled her out of a crucial fixture for her country. Bonmati will play no part in Spain's decisive UEFA Women's Nations League final second leg against Germany at the Estadio Metropolitano. This is a major setback for the reigning world champions, with the tie finely poised after a goalless first leg in Kaiserslautern, where Bonmati featured for 77 minutes.
Successful Surgery and Positive Outlook
Bonmati took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to update fans, confirming her operation had been successful. With a recovery timeline set at approximately five months, the midfielder struck a reflective and positive tone.
"Surgery went well and now it's time to regenerate physically and mentally," she wrote. She acknowledged the intense demands of elite football, stating it had pushed her "to the limit in every aspect" and that certain factors had recently diminished her enjoyment of the profession.
"Honestly, I felt like it was a time to put the brakes on," Bonmati revealed. "I actually thought about it but didn't, and life just stopped at a halt. With this lesson, I face what comes convinced that it will be a learning experience." She concluded by thanking the medical team at the Hospital of Barcelona and all those supporting her.
Season-Ending Timeline Confirmed
Barcelona have corroborated the expected length of Bonmati's rehabilitation. A five-month absence unequivocally ends her campaign for the 2024/25 season.
Barcelona's final league match is scheduled for 31 May, with the Women's Champions League final set for the preceding weekend, dates Bonmati will now watch from the sidelines. Her absence is a monumental loss for her club, where she is the creative heartbeat, and for a Spanish side in the midst of a major tournament.
The injury caps a remarkable yet now interrupted year for the footballer. In 2025, Bonmati made history by becoming the first player to win the women's Ballon d'Or three times. This followed a domestic treble with Barcelona and her instrumental role in driving Spain to the Euro 2025 final, where they were ultimately defeated by England.
